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"I assume our great savior should know that only filthy rats eavesdrop," Snape said coldly, arms crossed as he glared at Harry. He looked ready to dock Gryffindor a hundred points or more.
But Harry wasn't bothered by Snape's sarcasm now - he had something more important to say.
His face was covered in sweat from running, one hand pressed against his lightning-shaped scar, his emerald eyes filled with determination:
"Yu - she killed Tom Riddle... Voldemort, the one you were just talking about! She saved me!"
"Voldemort is the Heir of Slytherin! He controlled Ginny to open the Chamber and release the Basilisk!"
"And Yu, she's a hero! She tricked Voldemort into revealing his secrets, tracked down the Chamber, and killed him!"
He then recounted everything that happened in the Chamber - from Voldemort emerging from the diary, their mutual probing, the Avada Kedavra curse; to the phoenix's protection and Jane's successful Disarming Charm; to Voldemort's attempt to summon the Basilisk which Jane thwarted, and finally how she used basilisk venom to destroy the diary, ending with Voldemort's agonized screams...
Everyone was stunned.
Professor McGonagall came to her senses, remembering the Stunning Spell that had hit Harry when they found him.
"Harry - but you were unconscious-"
Harry nodded, his voice certain yet confused:
"Yes, that's true. When I met Jane on the third-floor corridor, she looked terrible, really weak, something was very wrong."
"Now I understand - she must have been under Voldemort's control then. After tricking me into using Parseltongue to open the Chamber, Voldemort immediately hit me with a Stunning Spell!"
"But strangely, I wasn't completely unconscious. My scar kept burning intensely, and I could hear everything they said clearly. While I was lying there, I suddenly shared his perspective, seeing all of Yu's movements."
"She broke free from Voldemort's control! She protected me! She fought him fiercely and defeated him!"
"She wasn't afraid at all, she even cursed at him! Called herself his ancestor!"
Dumbledore drew a deep breath, seeming to realize something, his expression showing sudden understanding.
"Yes... yes... your scar... the one he gave you..."
"No wonder Fawkes was in that state... no wonder we detected those two spells..."
Countless clever adult wizards had faced Voldemort - some were deceived and became his puppets, others cowered before the threat of death. Most who dared to resist had long since turned to dust.
Yet Jane Yu, this twelve-year-old witch—
First, she had maintained her integrity against the diary's temptation, deceiving him to gain his trust and successfully extracting information;
Then, faced with Voldemort's deadly Killing Curse, she had cleverly maneuvered, fought bravely, and destroyed the diary he possessed.
Such courage, such fearlessness!
Perhaps no one her age in the world could have done better!
Snape thought of the message left on the wall, finally understanding what Jane had tried to convey.
She must have been under Voldemort's control then, writing those words during a brief moment of clarity!
She had wanted to warn them about Voldemort's cunning, deception, and disguise!
Lockhart's miserable state was also caused by Voldemort controlling Jane to steal his wand.
And those drops of paint... she had deliberately left them to guide them to the Chamber.
How clever, how resourceful!
If she hadn't risked herself, he would have been tempted to award points to Slytherin!
Professor McGonagall stood nearby, tears streaming down her face, wetting the wrinkles on her cheeks.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley held Ginny's shoulders as they listened to Harry's account, nearly jumping up at the tense moments, calling out to Merlin.
Mr. Weasley exclaimed excitedly:
"Merlin's beard - what a brave and clever child! She didn't just save Harry, she saved Ginny too!"
The couple knew that if Jane hadn't destroyed the diary, Ginny might not be standing before them now.
Mrs. Weasley wiped her eyes, saying emotionally:
"She also protected Ron and Harry at the start of term, preventing them from breaking their necks. She's our family's savior!"
Ginny had no doubt that if Jane were here now, her mother would rush to give her a big hug and kiss.
Because that's exactly what she wanted to do herself.
She wanted to run straight to the Slytherin girls' dormitory!
...
After everyone else had left, Dumbledore and Snape sat facing each other.
Both were lost in thought.
"I told you before, she's no ordinary young witch," Snape said with satisfaction, seemingly pleased to have proven his point. "She's not like Potter, whose brain might as well have been stepped on by a troll - your chosen savior."
Dumbledore gave a bitter smile as he tugged at his beard, accidentally pulling too hard and wincing in pain.
These past few days of worry over the Chamber had left him feeling like his chin would soon be as bare as Fawkes'.
"Yes... Severus, you were right. We both know she's extraordinary."
"I said I often don't understand her actions... sometimes I make assumptions... I apologize for that."
But he continued to point out a concerning issue:
"However... this child, I suspect she's suffered severe psychological damage."
Meeting Snape's murderous glare, he continued steadily:
"She made the brave and right choice, even killing Voldemort, yet she's still trying to cover for him... why do you think that is?"
Snape fell silent, a disturbing possibility occurring to him that made him feel sick.
"She's only twelve... at an age where emotions are confusing and undefined," Dumbledore sighed softly. "And Voldemort, even as the sixteen-year-old Tom Riddle, was skilled at manipulating such feelings."
"They share similar backgrounds - both orphans, both Slytherins, both extraordinarily gifted... This makes it very easy for her to empathize with him."
"You see, having to kill someone who is both charismatic and appealing to you, despite being on opposite sides - it's a painful experience, creating a rift between emotion and reason."
Dumbledore removed his half-moon spectacles, wiping away the fog that had formed on them.
He suddenly remembered that summer... the roses in Godric's Hollow... the final breaking of the blood pact...
He had thought himself incapable of doing it... but...
His voice trailed off into a long sigh.
"Learning to love correctly is crucial. I'm very worried about her, Severus."
Snape remained silent, his eyes becoming hollow as painful memories swirled in his mind.
They both realized they needed to intervene and guide Jane's emotional development, to prevent this promising student from going astray.
Yet they themselves were both trapped by similar past experiences.